Shaved Ice Cups

Written by Serena Berger

If you are only making shaved ice in your home, you can serve it in whatever bowl or cup is in the cupboard. For the most part, you don't have to worry about your children thinking that they are not getting their money's worth, unless you have taken to charging them for each meal. You really just want to put the food into a container that is least likely to result in a mess being made.

Professional vendors of shaved ice have additional concerns to worry. If you were to serve shaved ice in tall but narrow cups, some customers will feel as though they are not getting enough. If you try to pack too much shaved ice above the top of a cup, you will have to pack it tightly, which ruins the texture. You also face the possibility that it will fall off, which upsets most customers.

Not All Cups Are Created Equal

As an alternative to using shaved ice cups for serving, many vendors use food containers. Styrofoam food containers are available in the same sizes as cups, but they have a wider mouth. With a wider base, servings are perceived as being larger, and you can also pile shaved ice to a reasonable height above the rim without concern.

The difference between food containers and cups may seem subtle, but can make the world of a difference to a customer. Spill stoppers--plastic discs that fit around the rim of a food container--are popular accessories for serving shaved ice. Not only do these prevent the ice from dripping onto a customer's hand, but they also justify charging a higher price, which consumers are willing to pay for the convenience.